BMW rolls out next‑gen X5 with five powertrain options

BMW confirmed that the fifth‑generation X5 has entered the final testing phase at its Spartanburg plant in the United States. The new SUV will be offered with five distinct drivetrains – conventional gasoline and diesel engines with 48‑volt mild‑hybrid systems, a plug‑in hybrid, the fully electric iX5 and, from 2028, a hydrogen‑fuel‑cell iX5. The iX5 60 xDrive carries the sixth‑generation eDrive system, an 800‑volt architecture and the largest battery ever fitted to a BMW – 141 kWh usable capacity in Europe (144 kWh in North America), delivering 578 hp and a range that could exceed 1,000 km. The hydrogen version will use a third‑generation fuel cell and BMW’s “Flat Storage” system of seven carbon‑fiber high‑pressure tanks integrated into the vehicle structure. All variants share the new “Heart of Joy” control unit, which coordinates powertrain, brakes, steering and energy recovery ten times faster than previous systems. Production is slated to start later this year, with deliveries expected in 2027.